Popcorn pops because the water on the inside of the corn kernel (or seed) turns into steam, expands, and ruptures the skin of the corn kernel, with a sudden pop. A kernel of corn has a strong outer coating called the “pericarp”. Inside that is starch, which can turn into soft fluffy popcorn.
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What gas law explains popcorn popping?
This phenomenon can be explained by the Gay-Lussac gas law, which states that as the temperature of a gas increases, so does the pressure. During the explosion, the starch granules that contain the water vapor expand enormously – turning the kernel inside out and producing a fluffy white flake.
What energy is used to pop popcorn?
The energy that causes popcorn to change from kernels to fluffy white puffs is thermal energy. Thermal energy is the energy produced by the movement and attractions of the molecules within a substance. When it is cooked, popcorn’s thermal energy increases.
What is the popcorn effect chemistry?
Popcorn effect may refer to: The tendency of larger particles to bounce higher than smaller ones on high-frequency vibrating screens. The possibility of moisture causing defects in electronics; see: Moisture sensitivity level.
Is popcorn a physical or chemical change?
When popcorn is popped, liquid inside the kernel is changed to steam. Pressure from the steam builds up inside the kernel. When the pressure reached a critical stage the kernel pops turning itself inside out. This is a physical change.
What determines popcorn shape?
Each kernel contains a tiny bit of water surrounded by starch. As the kernel heats up, the water vapor expands, turns into steam and heats the surrounding starch into a gooey mess. At a high enough pressure, the starch goop bursts through the shell and then cools down quickly into the fluffy popcorn shapes.
Is popcorn an example of Boyle’s Law?
The Process of a Kernel Turning into a Popcorn Along with this, pressure decreases, which follows Boyle’s law (pressure and volume are reverse.)
How do the kinetic molecular theory explain why popcorn pops?
Explanation: When heated, a gas (or the air) expands. Heating the corn seed, the air inside it try to expand, but because the seed is hermetic, it only increases its pressure, until the inner pressure is higher than the seed shell resistance. At this point, it explodes (pops) and become delicious.
Why does popcorn lose mass when popped?
The mass of the corn decreases slightly after popping. Popping corn contains a small amount of water. During the popping process this water turns to steam and escapes into the at- mosphere. In this way a small amount of mass is lost.
Why does popcorn pop differently?
But have you ever wondered — why don’t some of these kernels pop? The answer is actually quite simple: water. The”popability” of popcorn kernels depends on the kernel’s water content. When a kernel heats up, the water inside of it releases steam, which puts pressure on the kernel’s shell — until it explodes.
What percentage of popcorn is air?
The results showed that the average bag of popcorn was 54% air.
What makes popcorn pop bigger?
Perfect Popcorn The Internet-approved tip is as follows: Soak popcorn kernels in water for 10 minutes, then drain and pop as normal. The theory is that the extra moisture helps produce fluffier puffs.
Does one kernel make one popcorn?
People’s biggest mistake when making popcorn is either under or overestimating how much a difference there can be between popped and unpopped kernels. As the kernels pop, they’ll increase in volume by up to four times. For example, you can expect 1 tablespoon of kernels to turn into a little over a cup of popcorn.
Why does popcorn pop in oil?
Does Oil Help Popcorn Pop? While oil is not strictly necessary to make a great bowl of popcorn, oil does help with the process. The oil heats uniformly in the pan and is a much better conductor of heat than air. It would allow the corn to pop marginally faster, but also cut down on burning from hot spots on the pan.
Is popping popcorn endothermic or exothermic?
This radiation energy is absorbed by the popcorn and converted to heat to make the popping reaction take place. Because the reaction needs energy, it is endothermic.
What type of change of matter takes place with a burnt piece of popcorn?
Students should arrive at the conclusion that a burnt piece has a new substance – ash – while a regular piece of popcorn does not. The burnt piece has undergone a chemical change while the regular piece has not.
Is popcorn reversible or irreversible process?
Popcorn is a great example of physical changes in matter including irreversible change.
What are the 2 types of popcorn?
The two most popular shapes commercially available are the “butterfly” (also known as the snowflake) and the “mushroom”. The shape of the flake is not fixed in white or yellow popcorn. Both types of popcorn can be butterfly or mushroom-shaped.
Why do some popcorn kernels pop larger than others?
For instance, a stronger hull makes a larger popcorn. The stronger hull can hold onto more pressure, so once it’s released, the starch will expand more. Also, smaller kernels expand relatively more than larger ones do. A lower moisture content (up to a limit of course), will also increase size.
What factors affect the rate of corn kernels popping?
The major factors that influence popcorn quality are kernel moisture, expansion ratios, and popping ratios. Higher quality popcorn is associated with kernels that expand more. This popped corn has a better texture and softness.
At what pressure does popcorn pop ATM?
Popcorn pericarp is much stronger than that of all other corn kernels and is able to retain this pressurized steam up to 9.2 atm (135 psi). Above that pressure, the pericarp ruptures, releasing the steam and gelatinous starch that solidifies upon cooling.
How does the pressure of a popcorn kernel compare to the pressure of the atmosphere?
Did you know popcorn pops at roughly nine times atmospheric pressure? The inside of a popcorn kernel is about ~13% water. When that water heats up—trapped inside the confined space of the kernel’s pericarp—the pressure goes up until the pericarp ruptures and the insides, now melted, spew out.
What temperature does popcorn pop?
If oil popping your corn, add 1/3 cup of cooking oil (we prefer coconut oil) to the pan. Allow the oil to heat. The best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil burns at 500 degrees.
How is kinetic molecular theory used in real life?
When you pump air into a tire, the gas molecules inside the tire get compressed and packed closer together. This increases the pressure of the gas, and it starts to push against the walls of the tire. Helium balloons also experience expansion and contraction with change in surrounding temperature.
Is popcorn actually corn?
Popcorn, like all six types of corn, is a cereal grain and originates from a wild grass. Its scientific name is Zea mays everta, and it is the only type of corn to actually pop. Popcorn is made up of three main components: endosperm, germ and the pericarp (also known as hull or bran).